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Tag: #END HUNGER

  • Collapse of suspects in court scripted for media attention-Police

    Collapse of suspects in court scripted for media attention-Police

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has alleged the collapse of six suspects arraigned with 70 other individuals on charges including terrorism, arson, and treasonable felony was deliberate and scripted to draw negative media attention.

    It however said medical aid was promptly provided to them, demonstrating the Police Force’s commitment to the welfare of those in its custody, irrespective of the allegations they face.

    This was contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday, November 1.

    The statement reads: “The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has recently arraigned 76 individuals in court on charges including terrorism, arson, and treasonable felony.

    These serious allegations encompass offenses such as the destruction of public property and threats to national security.

    In managing the detention and arraignment of these suspects, the NPF has rigorously adhered to legal provisions to ensure fairness and accountability under the rule of law.”

    The suspects were initially presented in court, where they were formally charged, and a remand order was issued by the court.

    Throughout this process, the Police have worked to balance justice with compassion, ensuring that each suspect’s basic rights and privileges are respected, including access to medical care and other necessary provisions.

    “Today, an unexpected incident in court saw six of the suspects suddenly rush out and faint, drawing media attention in a deliberate and scripted manner to draw negative attention.

    Medical aid was promptly provided to these individuals, demonstrating the Police Force’s commitment to the welfare of those in its custody, irrespective of the allegations they face.

    “While committed to upholding justice, the Nigeria Police Force remains sensitive to the rights of all individuals, including young persons.

    Under Nigerian law, individuals who have reached the age of criminal responsibility are answerable for their actions, regardless of their age.

    “This principle aligns with global practices, where accountability is upheld for young individuals who commit serious offenses.

    As seen in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, age does not exempt individuals from facing legal consequences.

    However, each case is approached with empathy and in accordance with human rights standards.”

    On Friday, 76 suspects, primarily minors showing signs of malnutrition, were arraigned related to the #EndBadGovernance protest.

    Six of them collapsed and were quickly taken out of the courtroom. After their arraignment, the court granted bail to each minor at N10 million.

  • Sokoto Offers Food Relief at 55% Discount Amidst Economic Hardship

    Sokoto Offers Food Relief at 55% Discount Amidst Economic Hardship

    Sokoto State has launched a new relief initiative aimed at providing residents with food and essential items at a 55% discount, as announced by Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

     This programme, introduced on Monday, is a response to the economic hardship intensified by the recent subsidy removal and global financial downturns.

    Governor Aliyu highlighted the inclusive nature of the initiative, ensuring that all residents, regardless of political affiliation or social status, have access to the discounted goods. 

    He emphasized the government’s dedication to distributing these items across all 244 wards in the state, making them accessible to families who need them the most.

    Additionally, the Sokoto government has taken other measures to ease the economic burden on residents. Mass transit services have been subsidized to reduce transportation costs and ensure that people can move around the state affordably.

     The governor affirmed that these palliatives are part of a broader strategy to support the population during this challenging period.

    Governor Aliyu also appealed to affluent community members and corporate organizations to support the program by providing food and essentials to the less privileged in their localities.

     This collaborative approach, he believes, would amplify the impact of the state’s efforts and create a wider safety net for those most in need.

    Chiso Dattijo, who leads the committee overseeing this initiative, expressed support for the governor’s actions, commending the approach as a proactive solution for the economic challenges faced by Sokoto residents.

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  • EndBadGovernance: FG Releases six Polish students

    EndBadGovernance: FG Releases six Polish students

    A group of Polish students and their teacher arrested in Nigeria during protests against government policies and soaring living costs have been released, Poland’s foreign minister said on Wednesday.
    The seven Polish citizens were detained earlier this month in the northwestern state of Kano “over their suspicious role in the protest and flying of Russian flags”, according to the Nigerian national security agency.
    The Polish authorities, however, said they were University of Warsaw students and a teacher, who found themselves “in the wrong place at the wrong time”.
    Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said the group had now been released.
    “I would like to confirm that the young people are already free, back in Kano, on campus, with passports,” Sikorski said in a video posted on X, formerly Twitter.
    “I think the young people received an accelerated lesson in African studies… I hope they will be back in the country soon,” he added.
    Nigeria is struggling with its worst cost-of-living crisis in years after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu introduced reforms to help revive the economy and foreign investment
  • FG Begins Direct Cash Transfer To Nigerians

    FG Begins Direct Cash Transfer To Nigerians

    No fewer than 4.3 million Nigerians have received direct cash transfers from the Federal Government, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, said yesterday.

     

    He said one million citizens were reached in the last few weeks, while the target is to transfer cash to one million vulnerable Nigerians each month.

     

    The minister spoke on a business programme of a national television during which he outlined the Federal Government’s comprehensive plan to address the current economic challenges.

     

    He said the government was expanding its cash transfer programme to support the poorest and most vulnerable.

     

    The programme, he said, had reached 4.3 million people, with plans to increase this number rapidly.

     

    “Right now, it’s about 4.3 million. But the last million was in the last few weeks. And when I say we’re ramping at a rate of 1 million per month, that is an ongoing process,” Edun said.

     

    He projected that the programme could potentially scale to assist a million people per week or every two weeks, depending on technological capabilities.

     

    Of great importance to the government, Edun said, is the welfare of the people, particularly the vulnerable.

     

    One of the key areas of focus is ensuring food availability and affordability.

     

    Edun said: “There is a concerted effort to ensure that we have homegrown food available.

     

    “In the short term, there is, apart from what is being distributed from reserves, a window that has been opened for importation because the commitment of Mr. President is to drive down those prices now and make food available now.”

     

    He emphasised that this measure will not undermine local farmers, as importation will only be permitted after exhausting local supplies.

     

    “One of the conditions for this importation will be that everything available locally in the markets or with the millers and so forth has been taken up. We will have auditors that will check that,” he said.

     

    Edun noted that these interventions aim to reduce inflation, stabilise the exchange rate, and lower interest rates, thereby creating a conducive environment for investment and job creation.

     

    “With the kind of food production programme we have, inflation will come down as prices come down. When inflation comes down, exchange rate will stabilize.

     

    “Interest rates will come down and the economy will have a chance.

     

    “People will have a chance at reasonable rates to invest in various sectors of the economy, increase productivity, grow the economy and create jobs which is the key to reducing poverty,” he elaborated.

     

    On the source of funding for these initiatives, Edun explained: “This particular money, $800 million, is under a World Bank programme.

     

    “But it’s under an International Development Association programme, and that money is for 40 years at one per cent.

     

    “So, if you say it is borrowing, well it is, but it is the softest and the cheapest and the most affordable form you can get. The rest will come from the federal government budget.”

     

    The finance minister also explained the rationale for the windfall levy, stressing that its role is in redistributing unearned income.

     

    “Where you have unearned income, where you have a section of the society or an industry or a set of companies that earn money through no dint of hard work of their own, the society deserves a chance to share some of that and it’s just redistribution of that.

     

    “So, I think that takes care of the issue of the windfall levy. It’s done everywhere else in the world where you have, especially the energy sector as well as banking,” he noted.

  • Hunger Protest: President Tinubu to Address the Nation

    After much ado, President Bola Tinubu has finally agreed to address the nation following a nationwide protest christened #ENDBADGOVERNANCE by Nigerian youth.
    Now on the fourth day, the protest was kicked off, August 1, and expected to last till the 10th of August.
    A statement pushed out by the Special Adviser to the President, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale indicated that President Bola Tinubu will address the nation in a broadcast on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 7:00 am.
    Television, radio, and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to plug into the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) for the broadcast.
    The broadcast will be repeated on the network services of the NTA and the FRCN at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm on the same day, it was further stated.